Hydrangea plant named &#39;USHYD0405&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘USHYD0405’ that is characterized by inflorescences that arise from both terminal and lateral buds, white flowers, early flowering and small green leaves.

Botanical classification: Hydrangea hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘USHYD0405’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant botanically known as Hydrangea hybrid and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘USHYD0405’.

The new cultivar is the product of a breeding program conducted by the inventor in a cultivated area of Higashiomi, Japan. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new Hydrangea cultivars that have attractive flower shapes and colors.

‘USHYD0405’ originated from the crossing in 2010 of the female or seed parent Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hobella’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,462) and the male or pollen parent an unnamed proprietary Hydrangea cultivar. The cultivar ‘USHYD0405’ was selected by the inventor in 2013 as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a cultivated area of Higashiomi, Japan.

Asexual reproduction by cuttings of the new cultivar ‘USHYD0405’ was first performed in 2013 in Higashiomi, Japan. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new Hydrangea cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Hydrangea cultivar ‘USHYD0405’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘USHYD0405’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from other existing varieties of Hydrangea known to the inventor. ‘USHYD0405’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits inflorescences that arise from         both terminal and lateral buds.     -   2. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits white flowers.     -   3. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits early flowering.     -   4. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits small green leaves.

The closest comparison plants are Hydrangea ‘Blue Wave’ (not patented) and Hydrangea ‘PIIHM-I’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,176). The new cultivar ‘USHYD0405’ is distinguishable from ‘Blue Wave’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits inflorescences that arise from both         terminal and lateral buds. In contrast, the inflorescences of         ‘Blue Wave’ arise only from terminal buds.     -   2. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits white flowers. In contrast,         the flowers of ‘Blue Wave’ are blue.     -   3. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits smaller leaves than the leaves         of ‘Blue Wave’.     -   4. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits earlier flowering than ‘Blue         Wave’.

The new cultivar ‘USHYD0405’ is distinguishable from ‘PIIHM-I’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits inflorescences that arise from both         terminal and lateral buds. In contrast, the inflorescences of         ‘PIIHM-I’ arise only from terminal buds.     -   2. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits white flowers. In contrast,         the flowers of ‘PIIHM-I’ are pink.     -   3. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits smaller leaves than the leaves         of ‘PIIHM-I’.     -   4. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits earlier flowering than         ‘PIIHM-I’.

The new cultivar ‘USHYD0405’ is distinguishable from the female parent plant in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits inflorescences that arise from both         terminal and lateral buds. In contrast, the inflorescences of         the female parent plant arise only from terminal buds.     -   2. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits white flowers. In contrast,         the flowers of the female parent plant are light pink.     -   3. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits smaller leaves than the leaves         of the female parent plant.     -   4. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits earlier flowering than the         flowers of the female parent plant.

The new cultivar ‘USHYD0405’ is distinguishable from the male parent plant in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits larger leaves than the leaves         of the male parent plant.     -   2. Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’ exhibits larger flowers than the         flowers of the male parent plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits of Hydrangea ‘USHYD0405’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall view of a 12 month old glass greenhouse grown plant.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Hydrangea cultivar named ‘USHYD0405’. Data was collected in Heidesheim, Germany from 12 month old glass greenhouse grown plants in 16 cm. containers. The time of year was July and the temperatures ranged from 26-30° Centigrade during the day and 16-22° Centigrade during the night. The light level was natural outdoor light and there were no photoperiodic treatments or growth retardants used. Color determinations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Hydrangea hybrid ‘USHYD0405’. -   Parentage: ‘USHYD0405’ resulted from the crossing of the female or     seed parent Hydrangea ‘Hobella’ and the male or pollen parent an     unnamed proprietary Hydrangea cultivar. -   Annual or perennial: Perennial. -   Plant type: Shrub. -   Suitable container size: 14 cm. and larger. -   Plant shape: Globe shaped. -   Growth habit: Upright with spreading lateral branches. -   Height: Average 50.0 cm. -   Width: Average 100.0 cm. -   Vigor: Strong. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Low temperature tolerance: −20 degrees Centigrade. -   High temperature tolerance: 35 degrees Centigrade. -   Propagation: Vegetative cuttings. -   Time to initiate roots: 16 days are required to initiate roots at 22     degrees Centigrade in the summer. -   Time to produce a rooted plant: 30 days are required to produce a     rooted plant at 22 degrees Centigrade in the summer. -   Crop time: Approximately 12 months are required to achieve a     finished plant. -   Root system: Main roots moderately thick, other roots moderately     fine. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Free branching.         -   Basal branching.—Yes.         -   Average number of lateral branches per plant.—16.         -   Pinching.—Yes, pinching will improve branching.         -   Lateral branch diameter.—Average 6 mm. in diameter.         -   Lateral branch length.—Average 38.0 cm. in length.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 6.0 cm. between nodes.         -   Stem shape.—Round.         -   Stem luster.—Moderately glossy.         -   Stem aspect.—Average angle 37.5 degrees from vertical.         -   Stem strength.—Moderately strong.         -   Stem color.—145B, flushed with N170C.         -   Stem pubescence.—Absent. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Compound or single.—Single.         -   Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—Average 12.         -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.         -   Leaf tip.—Apiculate.         -   Leaf base.—Attenuate.         -   Leaf margin.—Crenate/serrate.         -   Leaf dimensions.—Length 12.0 cm; width 6.0 cm.         -   Leaf texture (both sides).—Smooth.         -   Leaf luster.—Upper surface slightly glossy, bottom surface             matte.         -   Leaf pubescence (both sides).—Absent.         -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Leaf color young, upper surface.—N137C.         -   Leaf color young, lower surface.—144A.         -   Leaf color mature, upper surface.—N137B.         -   Leaf color mature, lower surface.—144B.         -   Vein color, upper side.—144A.         -   Vein color, under side.—144D.         -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate. -   Petiole:     -   -   Petiole dimensions.—13 mm. in length and 2 mm. in diameter.         -   Petiole texture.—Smooth.         -   Petiole pubescence.—Absent.         -   Petiole color.—144D. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Compound corymb, with sterile and             fertile flowers.         -   Inflorescence height.—8.5 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—13.5 cm.         -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—Sterile 330; Fertile             10.         -   Natural flowering season.—April to June, sporadic to             September in Germany. -   Flower buds (both fertile and sterile):     -   -   Bud dimensions.—3.0 mm in length and 2.0 mm. in diameter.         -   Bud shape.—Ovoid.         -   Bud texture.—Smooth.         -   Bud pubescence.—Absent.         -   Bud color.—145D. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower type.—Fertile rotate; sterile cruciform.         -   Flower aspect.—Outward to upright.         -   Flowering habit.—Freely.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Flower dimensions.—Fertile 1.0 mm. in diameter and 4.0 mm.             in height; Sterile 50 mm. in diameter and 5 mm. in height.         -   Flower longevity.—Approximately 4 to 6 weeks.         -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent. -   Petals:     -   -   Number of petals.—Fertile 5; Sterile 4.         -   Petals fused.—Fertile not fused; Sterile not fused.         -   Petal dimensions.—Fertile 3.0 mm. in length and 2.0 mm. in             width; Sterile 2.5 cm. in length and 2.5 cm. in width.         -   Petal margin.—Fertile entire; Sterile entire.         -   Petal apex.—Fertile cuspidate; Sterile obtuse.         -   Petal base.—Fertile acuminate; Sterile obtuse.         -   Petal texture.—Fertile smooth both sides; Sterile smooth             both sides.         -   Petal color when opening (upper side).—Fertile NN155B;             Sterile 145D.         -   Petal color when opening (under side).—Fertile NN155B;             Sterile 145D.         -   Petal color fully opened (upper side).—Fertile NN155C;             Sterile 155B, tinged 56D.         -   Petal color fully opened (under side).—Fertile NN155C;             Sterile 155B, tinged 56D.         -   Petal color fading to.—Fertile NN155C; Sterile 56D. -   Sepals:     -   -   Sepal arrangement.—Fertile flowers only, rotate.         -   Number of sepals.—5.         -   Sepal dimensions.—2.0 mm. in length and 2.0 mm. in width.         -   Sepal shape.—Ovate.         -   Sepal apex.—Apiculate.         -   Sepal base.—Fused.         -   Sepal margin.—Entire.         -   Sepal texture (both sides).—Smooth.         -   Sepal color, young (upper side).—138B.         -   Sepal color, young (under side).—138B.         -   Sepal color, mature (upper side).—138B.         -   Sepal color, mature (under side).—138B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Peduncle dimensions.—1.25 cm. in length and 1.0 mm. in             diameter.         -   Peduncle angle.—45 degrees from lateral branch axis.         -   Peduncle strength.—Moderately strong.         -   Peduncle texture.—Smooth.         -   Peduncle color.—145A. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Pedicel dimensions.—5.0 mm. in length and 0.5 mm. in             diameter.         -   Pedicel angle.—45 degrees from peduncle axis.         -   Pedicel strength.—Moderately strong.         -   Pedicel texture.—Smooth.         -   Pedicel color.—145A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamen number.—8 to 9.         -   Anther shape.—Basifixed.         -   Anther dimensions.—0.8 mm. in length and 0.3 mm. in width.         -   Anther color.—4D.         -   Amount of pollen.—Moderate.         -   Pollen color.—4D.         -   Number of pistils.—1.         -   Pistil length.—2.0 mm.         -   Stigma shape.—Funnel shaped.         -   Stigma color.—NN155B.         -   Style length.—1.0 mm.         -   Style color.—NN155B.         -   Ovary color.—NN155B. -   Fruit and seed production: Fruit and seed development has not been     observed to date. -   Disease and pest resistance: Disease and pest resistance has not     been observed to date. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Hydrangea plant named ‘USHYD0405’ as described and illustrated. 